From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Ter Tyoshin, Daniel Abomtse has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to provide security to Tiv farmers carrying out their legitimate businesses, but are being slaughtered like animals.
The monarch described the trend as injustice to an entire race which is unacceptable.
The traditional ruler made the appeal when he received a delegation from the Association of United Farmers Benue- Valley, AUFBV, led by its President, Dennis Utsa, during a visit at his palace in Naka, Gwer West Local Government.
He expressed grief over the farmers’ plight and joined their demand for justice, as well as the release of the corpses for burial according to Tiv tradition.
He said the collective faith in the Nigerian project remains shaky with the historical marginalisation of Tiv people across the country.
“Our human existence is no longer measured in terms of livelihood. We don’t have any other place. Why should new arrivals be given preferential treatment over those who have lived here from time immemorial?” Abomtse queried.
The monarch, who emphasised the need for urgent intervention, appealed to the Nasarawa and Benue State governments to act swiftly by addressing what he described as ethnic cleansing.
In a presentation, Utsa said the visit was to seek the traditional ruler’s support in
amplifying their call for the release of 394 corpses of Tiv farmers allegedly massacred by Alago militia in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State between June 2024 and January 2025 and to seek justice.
He said Tiv farmers, who are mostly IDPs, were attacked in their homes by Alago militia armed with various weapons, killing many with others injured.
